am I?
this crazy planet is amazing.
A swim in the the Gulf of Oman had me looking ahead to Afghanistan, right to India and down to the Maldives as I swam in luke warm tender waters.
Alone, but not alone
Fisherman down the way celebrating their bounty.
And a stop to buy fresh bread, back in Al Ain as we watched the sun set on a remarkable two days.
A must visit again part of our world.
Driving along the deserted beach road, our eyes were drawn by a massive flock of birds on the skyline. We followed them and found a scene which, were it not for the truck, could have been taking place 2000 years ago.
Such excitement, such joy, such energy,
We were caught up in this primeval act of abundance. A sardine run, nets, men, old, young, in between, working together to collect this bounty.
And He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. John 21:6
Their net was full; so full they could not lift it but had to lift the fish out in buckets.
And all the while we watched, enthralled, amazed, humbled why what we saw.
And all the while, the men would stop for a minute, clap and sing and offer praises to their Allah for the bounty.
My cup runneth over
Surely a day not to be forgotten in a hurry.
Remarkable, ancient, and offered to us becaus
e we wandered off with open minds and no agenda.
Annie, Mick, – thank you.
and so, still marveling at the amazing sardines we had seen, we wandered further, alone, no one in sight, but a dot in the ocean. Our eyes adapted, finding it hard to comprehend what they saw.
A bull in the ocean, bobbing up and down, accompanied by a young man who bobbed with him. Surely not.
But so it was. And the bull (turned out to be an ox :)) swam with his master deep in the ocean for at least ten minutes as we sat and watched, mesmerized.
They then came closer, into shallow water and with tender care they scrubbed the beasts flanks, chest, belly. Again we were witness to a ritual that surely goes back to biblical times.
The bond between boy and beast was, even from our distant position, almost palpable. The one relied on the other, – for what? transport, food, strength, support.
Only they will know, if they even think about it.
But there they were, together in a ritual of cleaning, healing and I am sure bonding.
As we learnt later, a weekly ritual, which we by chance, and gratefully were privileged to witness, while standing apart.
Brave New World of Blogging 